“The Love Experience” is an editorial project that features dynamic couples in love. The series, shot by fashion photographer Bryce Lennon, celebrates diversity through the perspective of underrepresented relationships.”

The Evolution of Marriage: Mark + George

It’s time to meet our first married couple of the Love Experience Cycle 3, Mark and George! This Philly couple have been together for nearly a decade, own a home, and share two cute dogs. Check out their full story below:

How did you two meet? What were some of you first impressions?

George: We met online, and our first date was at Starbucks.  Before the date, I made a quick stop into the GAP. Surprisingly, you wouldn’t guess who I bumped into? Mark, and of course, he was buying underwear! It caught me off guard initially, as I walked by him three times before speaking. He was very handsome, with a really nice smile in person.

Mark: I felt the same way about him! George has this very outgoing personality, and I’m more reserved. That dynamic was really good off the bat.

How long have you two been together or married?

Mark: We’ve been together for almost a decade!

George: We’ve been married for four years, but together for nine.

At what point in your relationship did you realize you wanted to get married?

George: Marriage was always in the cards for me, as I expressed that early on in our relationship. Initially, Mark was hesitant based on a past experience. Around year three though, I wanted to take our relationship to the next level. Mark agreed! So, it was more of an evolving conversation than a formal proposal.

Mark: The first thing I got him wasn’t a ring, but a crystal ring holder.

What is the biggest strength of your marriage?

George: As we continue to evolve as individuals, our relationship will grow and evolve with us.

Mark: Also, compromise and realizing how each person communicates. You might not want to hash something out right away, even when your partner has a different opinion. It’s important to find a middle ground.

What do you do together for fun?

Mark: We like to cook together! So, we spend a lot of time in the kitchen.

George: Ever since I began food blogging, Mark has purchased me a few good cookbooks. Its been pretty fun to cook together and learn different ingredients.

For anyone struggling in the dating world, what advice would you give them in regards to sustaining a healthy and loving relationship?

George: You have to love yourself first, understand your personal boundaries, know what you’re willing to accept and not accept, and communicate those things. There’s a lot of self work that comes with a healthy relationship.

Mark: Communication does the trick every time. It’s not as cliché as it sounds!

Where can we reach you?

Instagram: @mjasonweston @geostable

“The Love Experience” is an editorial project that features dynamic couples in love. The series, shot by fashion photographer Bryce Lennon, celebrates diversity through the perspective of underrepresented relationships.”

You + Me = Us: Jay + Ana

Today, we’re introducing Jay and Ana to the Love Experience! These two love birds dated briefly back in college, only to reconnect years later and get back together. They’ve been inseparable ever since! Check out their full story below:

How did you two meet? What were some of you first impressions?

Ana: We met through a mutual friend in college (I was a freshman attending UArts and Jay was a Junior at the Art Institute of Philadelphia). I like to acknowledge how obsessed with him I became instantly (That sounds really dramatic)! He was my little, grown-up version of Devon Sawa. Even now, Jay is my forever crush. I always tell him that!

Jay: It’s funny that we met in college, since we began dating again more recently.  After our brief stint in college, we went our separate ways for a very long time. We didn’t actually start dating again until three years ago.

Ana: We always stayed in contact though. He moved to New York, and I was in LA. His work brought me back to the east coast.

What are some of things that keeps your relationship growing?

Jay: Having hard conversations! Rather than ignoring them, we get those talks out the way before anything blows up. You should have those hard conversations in the present, rather than allowing them to build up over time.

Ana: Understanding that we’re individuals that are trying to come together. We navigate this world as individuals first, and then we come together to navigate as a team. That’s really important!

What is the biggest strength of our relationship?

Ana: Jay allows me to be unapologetically myself, and I really love him for that. I’m hell of extra, and he accepts me for the good, bad, and ugly.

Jay: Our partnership, and how we pick up the slack for one another. Just viewing our relationship as partnership, rather than what can I get from it.

Ana: I’m learning trust with Jay, which doesn’t necessary mean monogamy. Trust as in I rely on you to help me when I need help. I’ve been aggressively independent my entire life, and its still hard for me to let go of control because Jay has it. I trust him.

As couple, what do you do together for fun?

Jay: Just the typical things like going out, attending art openings, cooking, baking, snowboarding, eating, drinking, and dancing. Also, we travel as much as we can together. We have our hobbies that are both together and separate.

Ana: We’re both involved in the art world. Jay is an artist, and I work for an agency that works with art museums. On the side, I’m a consulter for visual artists. Our passions just align! The fact that we can be creative with one another is very intimate, and something that we think is fun!

For anyone struggling in the dating world, what advice would you give them in regards to sustaining a healthy and loving relationship?

Ana: Freedom, patience, understanding that the person you’re dating in the beginning is going to be some way out the years, being honest, and not feeling like you own the other person.

Jay: Staying away from that possession mentality. For example, that other person is yours, with an expectation that they have to do certain things for you to not feel jealous. You have to be your own induvial first, and be happy with that. Then embrace the other person, and be happy with who they are. Focus on being two amazing individuals who can share a partnership together.

Where can we reach you?

Instagram: @jaycowandottv @aye.tee.tee